Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years.
Our four-legged friends have bonded with us as pets and family members.
Here is my dog, Callie.
They perform many roles for us humans, such as helping hunters,assisting the police, and aiding disabled people.
This influence on human society has given them the nickname --- “man's best friend."
For the K-9 handlers in the US military, dogs are a soldier's best friend.
In this episode meet Army Private John Rowell and his best friend, Chips
the dog that took out an enemy machine gun nest during World War Two.
Next on Marking History!
This is the historical marker and monument to a decorated World War Two hero, Chips.
This bronze statue was created by world renown artist, Lena Toritch,
which is dedicated to hero dogs in the military.
This memorial resides in Lasdon Park, Westchester County, New York.
Now let's meet Chips!
In August 1942, the Wren Family enlisted their family dog, Chips, a German shepherd, collie, husky mix
into the Army, participating in the new Dogs for Defense program.
After instruction at the War Dog Training Center in Front Royal, Va., Chips was assigned to Private John Rowell
as his K-9 handler and shipped overseas in early 1943.
Chips' first big assignment was guard dog duty at the Casablanca Conference
for President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in January 1943.
Then it was on to Sicily.
In the predawn hours of July 10, 1943, the 3rd Infantry Division landed on the shore of southern Sicily
for Operation Husky, a major World War Two campaign to take back the island.
Among the troops that hit the beach was the 30th Infantry Regiment
including Private John Rowell and his sentry dog, Chips.
At daylight, the platoon began working its way inland.
Suddenly a machine gun opened fire, hidden in what appeared to be a nearby peasant hut.
It was really a camouflaged bunker!
Rowell and the rest of the platoon immediately hit the ground.
But Chips broke free from his handler and raced into the pillbox, snarling all the way.
After a lot of noise inside the hut, the machine gun fell silent.
One Italian soldier came out of the bunker with Chips at his throat.
Rowell called him off before he could kill the man.
Three other Italian soldiers followed outside, holding their hands above their heads in surrender.
Unfortunately, Chips was wounded in the action.
Luckily, medics treated Chips and released him to Private Rowell later that day.
That night, while on guard duty Chips alerted Rowell of an infiltration attempt by ten Italian soldiers.
Together they captured all ten.
Within days, the story of Chips' heroics had swept through the division.
Chips gained notoriety for other acts during the conflict,
including a public meeting with General Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1945.
When the future president bent down to pet the service dog to thank him for his bravery,
Guess what?
Chips bit him.
Eisenhower did not know that Chips had been trained to clamp down
on humans he didn't know.
Chips was discharged in December 1945 and returned to the Wren family.
The story of Chips lives on through an award-winning book
and a popular Disney movie, "Chips the War Dog."
Now who can resist a dog story about the importance of home, friendship, and loyalty
during one of the most challenging times in America's history.
If history can be taught with stories
they can never be forgotten.
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